Maureen (Hoey) Dunn, longtime champion and activist for prisoners of war and those missing in action, passed away Friday in Randolph at the age of 72.

A native of Jamaica Plain, Dunn’s life changed forever on Feb. 14, 1968, when Cmdr. Joe Dunn’s unarmed plane was shot down over the South China Sea near Hainan Island. Dunn’s body was never recovered.

The loss of her beloved husband left Dunn, a young widow and mother of a young son, with a life-long mission advocating on behalf of POWs and MIAs.

Dunn was the co-founder of the National League of Families of POWs/MIAs and dedicated her life on behalf of American military personnel captured or missing in action and their families. She traveled the country raising awareness and challenging politicians to never to forget those separated from their country while in military service.

Dunn was also a presence at the Paris Peace Talks in the 1970s.

She co-authored her life story in a 2006 book with Melissa B. Robinson entitled “The Search for Canasta 404 – Love, Loss, and the POW MIA Movement.”

In recent years, Dunn was a tireless advocate and supporter of the Achilles Project, bringing amputee veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan to Boston every April to compete in the Boston Marathon and be hosted by the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Last month, Dunn was at Fenway with her Achilles Project athletes as they participated in a moving pre-game ceremony.

Her special relationship with the Boston Red Sox grew out of a friendship with former Red Sox general manager Lou Gorman, a Navy veteran. After Gorman’s passing, the Red Sox and Dunn carried on the special April tradition in which the Achilles Project team members were duly recognized on Patriots Day Weekend.

Dunn is survived by her son, Joe; her daughter-in-law, Beverly; her beloved grandson, Joseph Patrick Dunn, III; her sister, Eleanor Sheldon; and her brothers John Hoey and Frederick Hoey.

Funeral arrangements are still pending.

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